Juanita & Maude is an East Bay favorite for special occasions, one where each dish on the rotating menu feels like a solid hit, no matter what you choose. It’s a neighborhood spot, to be sure, but it still works for an intimate dinner date, whether out in the main dining room or the charming back patio.

Not only is Chez Panisse a Berkeley classic, it's also the birthplace of California cuisine. Alice Waters' prix-fixe restaurant is still serving pristine Bay Area produce, amazing wines, and impeccable ambiance. Make sure to take a peek into the gorgeous kitchen before the night is over.

The two-Michelin-starred restaurant in the East Bay is an obvious choice, and one of the grander gestures available. It's a relaxed vibe with super precise, flavorful food.

Boulevard returned with aglam refreshof its space in 2021, with decor so luxurious that it willalmostcompete with the attention from your date. The food itself is just as distractingly good, with a multi-course menu starting at $115 per person.

The view from luxe seafood spot Waterbar is all you need to signify serious. Located at the base of the Bay Bridge, the best time to go is at sunset, sitting on the heated patio while watching the sun go down and the bridge lights start to dance in front of you.

Celebrate the fact that you and your date actually enjoy each other's company with a romantic patio brunch for two at this relaxed longtime neighborhood favorite. Besides, if you're going to wait that long for gingerbread pancakes and challah french toast, you might as well make it official.

Longtime fans of Rich Table may already be clued into chef Brandon Rice’s new-ish spot, Ernest, but in case this restaurant has slipped under the radar for date nights, it’s worth a second look. Try dishes off the a la carte menu, or let the kitchen decide on your meal, with a $95 “chef’s choice” option. A word to the wise: don’t skip out on dessert if you can help it.

After a lengthy closure, chef Melissa Perello beloved Californian restaurant Francesreturnedearlier this year. Although the dining room’s received a makeover, it still maintains its cozy vibe that will make your table feel intimate, and the dreamy food will give you a break from swooning over each other.

3rd Cousin is one of those spots that happens to have an under-the-radar feel to it (it perhaps isn’t as showy as some of the other options on this list) but has the food to make you feel loved and appreciated — like any good date spot should. The menu is full of great a la carte options, but take advantage of the tasting menu or chef’s counter if you’re looking to splurge.